Typically, your favorite inspiration drives a mood board. You start collecting rest of your samples based on this inspiration -- from catalogs, magazines and from your local DIY shops. Your samples should be proportionate -- for example, your sofa being larger in comparison to your accessories. Keep your board casual; look at it as a visual aid to brainstorm your options. Swap your samples until you are pleased with the overall decor. Take this board into the room to check it in different light shades and try to get a feel for it. Invest in the decor once you fall in love with your picks.
I created this mood board for my living room. This room turned out to be on the eclectic side -- with a earthy combination of mango wood, capiz shells and a modern sofa. The Devin Terra Hennessey sofa (from Crate and Barrel) started off this mood board :-) I promise to add some of my work soon..